Do’s and Don’ts After Getting a Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is an increasingly popular procedure, and despite advances in surgical science, it remains a highly invasive procedure that it is crucially important to take time to heal and recover from.

By not taking proper time to rest and failing to follow the specific instructions from your surgeon or the post-op team, you could compromise your recovery, risk complications such as torn sutures or infection, and also risk the overall outcome of the procedure. This could mean that the end goal, the appearance of your tummy, is not as attractive as it may have been if the right steps had been followed.

Alongside the specific instructions issued by your cosmetic surgeon, here are a few useful do’s and don’ts to follow which can help ensure that your recovery is as smooth and straightforward as possible.

Don’t – rush back to work too soon

Whilst nobody enjoys being restricted and sat at home bored, one of the most common mistakes made by people having routine functional or cosmetic surgery is to not take sufficient rest time and rush back to work ahead of schedule. A tummy tuck can take a considerable time to fully heal and be recovered from, as long as 6-weeks, so it is important to take the full rest period as advised by your surgeon to allow internal healing, for incisions to fully close and for any swelling to disappear.

Your surgeon should be happy to provide a letter to your employer stating that you have had surgery and that there is a specific recovery period. Don’t worry – for confidentiality and discretion, the exact nature of the surgery does not need to be stated on this letter.

Do – take pain relief to relieve discomfort

With surgery as invasive as a tummy tuck, pain and discomfort is to be expect for a good few days after surgery, usually up to around a week post-op. There are no bravery awards for enduring pain and not taking medication, so if you are suffering any pain or discomfort, take the pain relief prescribed by your surgeon to keep you as comfortable as possible. It will also enable you to move around more, which is important for your healing and recovery.

Do – try to get back on your feet as soon as you feel able to

After an invasive procedure like a tummy tuck, while a visit to the gym or a ride out on your bike is firmly out of the question, getting up on your feet and gently moving around the house can be of huge benefit. Simple movements help increase circulation and the delivery of oxygen-rich blood cells to the areas of the body that require healing while protecting against blood clots and any form of muscle wastage caused by lack of movement and laying down for too long.

Don’t – be afraid to ask for help if you think you need it

As much as you want to get back to normal as soon as possible there are things that you simply should not, and probably won’t be able to do in the period immediately after surgery. This is where engaging with your support network, your partner, friends or family to tell them what to expect post-op is important. Simple things like vacuuming the house, picking the kids up for a cuddle or carrying baskets of laundry are tasks which are out of the question, so have help on hand for the things you can’t do.

It is also worth noting that after your operation you will not be able to drive until given clearance by your insurance company or your surgeon. Making sure you can get to your follow-up appointments is very important so arrange to have someone who can drive you until you are once again fit to get behind the wheel.

Do – monitor how your incision heals and consult your surgeon if needed

After your operation you will have a wound from the incision that will have been closed by your surgeon with either surgical staples, or sutures. It is important to monitor this wound to ensure that it is healing correctly. Remember to change your dressings and clean your wound regularly as instructed by your surgeon or the post-op team, and if you spot any signs of potential infection (oozing, discoloration, a bad smell, redness) contact your surgeon immediately as you may require antibiotics. It is crucial that you do not delay at all when contacting them if you see any sign of infection.

If you would like to talk about anything in this article or have any questions regarding recovery after your tummy tuck, contact Pacific Lipo at our offices in San Diego, Beverly Hills, or Newport Beach, California. You can call (858) 427-8899, (424) 421-2250, or (888) 575-8898 to book an appointment today.